In March, the Buick GL8 sold fewer than 8,000 units, a record low. In contrast, Toyota Syna achieved sales of more than 6,000 units, a record high. During the same period, the sales of the two models differed by only more than 1,300 units.
As a result, many netizens pointed out that the status of buick GL8 is precarious.
But this view is clearly incorrect, because occasional events cannot represent, let alone predict future trends. Moreover, as a benchmark model for high-end MPV in China, Buick GL8 has long become a phenomenon-level MPV, which is the first choice for countless people when choosing high-end MPV.
The decline in sales of the Buick GL8 in March is obviously due to the current epidemic, and the obstruction of transportation will inevitably affect the entire production chain. In this case, other models will have a certain diversion of the GL8 to a certain extent.
However, the Buick GL8 will still face greater challenges, because the mid-to-high-end MPV market will appear several new faces, including Toyota Xena's "sister model" - FAW Toyota GRANVIA. Of course, for consumers, the more competitive models there are, the wider the choices they have.
Next, we may wish to take a look at these new MPV, who is the strongest?
Denza D9
Recently, Denza Automobile released the official map of Denza D9, and the new car, as the brand's first MPV model, is to impact the high-end MPV market. Judging from the exposed part of the information, the new car is positioned as a medium and large MPV, with a body length of more than 5.2 meters and a wheelbase of more than 3 meters, which is comparable to the Buick GL8.
It is worth mentioning that Denza Automobile, as a high-end new energy brand jointly created by BYD and Daimler, often uses BYD's latest technology in its models.
At present, bydir's hottest is the DM-i super hybrid system, and the models equipped with this system are even more difficult to find. Whether it is Song PLUS DM-i or Qin PLUS DM-i, sales are quite hot.
It is understood that the Denza D9 will be equipped with DM-i super hybrid system, and at the same time, the new car will also provide DM-P and EV pure electricity and other power. In addition, whether it is a DM or AN EV model, the Denza D9 will support fast charging.
In addition to the power will be equipped with BYD's latest and hottest DM-i super hybrid system, the advantages of denza D9 are also intelligent and luxurious.
For example, the new car will be equipped with intelligent technologies such as multiple smart screens and Momenta's intelligent driving solution, and will be equipped with luxury features such as double-sided electric sliding doors, aviation seats, Tanner audio, Xiaoice boxes, and four-door double-layer silent glass.
Lantu Dreamer
Originally launched in April, Lantu Dreamer has been postponed to mid-May, but consumers have long been looking forward to this new MPV.
As the second model of Lantu Automobile, Lantu Dreamer is positioned in the high-end MPV market. This can be seen from the previous pre-sale price, the seven-seat version pre-sale of 380,000-480,000, the four-seat version pre-sale of 600,000 yuan, the price of a proper high-end MPV.
However, how can Lantu Dreamers support such a pricing (pre-sale price)?
I'm afraid that the first is the luxury configuration. The interior of the Lantu Dreamer uses many high-end materials, and the second row of seats also uses environmentally friendly materials certified by the European Union's baby-grade eco-textiles. At the same time, the new car is equipped with air suspension and continuous shock absorption active control system, and the second row is equipped with a number of functions such as adjusting leg rests and massage as standard.
Secondly, the new car has an excellent intelligent configuration. For example, the new car is equipped with L2 level intelligent auxiliary driving, and is equipped with active night vision system, remote control parking, gesture recognition interaction system, etc. At the same time, the new car also supports OTA upgrades, bringing freshness to users at any time.
It is worth mentioning that Lantu Dreamer will provide pure electricity + extended range two power, providing consumers with more choices. In particular, the extended range version can dispel the user's battery life anxiety.
Extreme KrYPVs
Extreme Krypton Automobile has now launched the first model, Extreme Kr 001, positioning the luxury hunting coupe, and the styling design gives people a bright eye. However, Extreme Krypton did not keep up with the SUV stream in the next step, but locked the second model in the MPV field.
In fact, like Lantu and Denza, with the changes in the domestic demographic structure and multi-tire policy, Extreme Kr Automobile is also aware that MPV will become the next outlet in the new energy market. Under such a general trend, the launch of MPV by Extreme Krypton Automobile has also become a natural thing.
Extreme Kr MPV has not yet been announced, its internal code name is "EF1E", the high probability will be a pure electric MPV. It is reported that the new car will be built based on the SEA architecture, the body length is expected to exceed 5.1 meters, the wheelbase is expected to be between 3.1 meters and 3.3 meters, positioning medium and large MPV.
Judging from the previously launched Extreme Kr 001, the new car is also expected to be equipped with a variety of configurations, especially high-end configurations such as air suspension are likely to be absent. In addition, as a medium and large MPV, the second row of seats in the new car will most likely provide a wealth of functions.
Judging from the information that has been exposed, the second row of the Extreme Kr MPV uses two independent seats, and the headrest is adjustable and the armrest is wide. In terms of functions, it is believed that the new car will also be equipped with a number of electric adjustables, providing functions such as seat heating, massage, ventilation, and leg rests.
In addition, the new car has a range of more than 700 kilometers of NEDC. If the user is only used as a city transport, then there is no problem of battery life anxiety at all.
Wei brand MPV
In addition to these "new forces", Weipai, as a traditional car company, has also begun to enter the MPV market. Weipai has always been prominent in the field of SUVs, but for the first time in the field of MPV, can the new MPV models play a big role in the market?
Judging from the spy photos previously exposed, although the Wei brand MPV is cloaked in disguise, the outline is clear. The side of the body is slender, and the overall contour is square, which indicates that the shape of the new car is still a more traditional business temperament.
Although the specific size information of the new car has not been announced by the official, it can be guessed from the spy photos that the size of the new car is not small and is expected to be similar to the Buick GL8. Therefore, the new car will most likely be positioned as a medium and large MPV.
With the tonality of Wei Brand, the configuration of Wei Brand's new MPV model must be quite high, and the high-end configuration that can almost be thought of, this new car will most likely be equipped.
It is worth mentioning that at present, many models under Weipai have begun to be equipped with hybrid systems, so this new MPV is also likely to be equipped with great wall lemon DHT hybrid technology, which in exchange for the leading fuel consumption level of the same level, but also bring better smoothness.
However, unlike Lantu Dreamer, Extreme KrYPV, etc., Wei brand MPV comes from a traditional brand, so its main competitors are likely to be Trumpchi M8, Buick GL8, Honda Odyssey and other models, and the price is more affordable.
In this way, the Wei brand MPV with large size, high configuration and low fuel consumption is bound to have a good competitiveness in the market.
FAW Toyota GRANVIA
Another traditional car company that is about to enter the mid-to-high-end MPV market is FAW Toyota. Under toyota's two-car strategy, GAC Toyota still has an MPV such as Sai Na, and FAW Toyota's version of "Sai Na" is also about to come out.
However, faw Toyota version was named "GRANVIA", Chinese name has not yet been determined, whether the new car will be included in the crown sub-brand, we do not know.
Since it is a "sister model" with Sai Na, faw Toyota Granvia and Sai Na will inevitably be very different in many aspects. The difference between the two is only in the details of the appearance and the configuration.
Judging from the information previously exposed, the appearance of FAW Toyota GRANDVIA is more sporty, similar to the North American sports version of the model. For example, many details of the appearance have been blackened, and a black honeycomb-shaped back lip has been added under the rear bumper.
In terms of power, the new car will also be the same as the Xena, the whole series will provide a 2.5L hybrid system, referring to the Xena, its comprehensive power of the oil-electric hybrid system is 183kW, and the fuel consumption under WLTC conditions is only 5.9L/100km.
It is worth mentioning that at present, GAC Toyota Syna has been recognized in the market, and monthly sales continue to rise. FAW Toyota Granvia as the "sister model" of Xena, the two are very similar in design, configuration, and power, so the price difference will be very small.
North American version of SIENNA Sport
However, in the case of Xena's preconceived advantage, whether FAW Toyota GRANVIA can continue Xena's sales depends on how FAW Toyota packages and positions it.
In the future, two domestic models originating from the North American market SIENNA are bound to work together to pose a huge threat to the Buick GL8. However, buick GL8, as an old cannon in the market, will inevitably not sit still, and continuous upgrading will also be a way to consolidate its dominant position.